Expressions of chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 in human sperm.

Author: Yan WANG ; Wei SHA ; Wen-hui ZHOU
Publication Type:Journal Article
MeSH: Acrosome; metabolism; Centrifugation, Density Gradient; Chemokine CXCL12; metabolism; Humans; Male; Receptors, CXCR4; metabolism; Signal Transduction; Spermatozoa; metabolism
From: National Journal of Andrology 2015;21(3):225-228
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo explore the expression patterns of the chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 in human sperm.
METHODSWe collected semen samples from 10 fertile men, performed density gradient centrifugation, and then determined the expressions of both CXCL12 and CXCR4 in the sperm by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining.
RESULTSRT-PCR revealed the mRNA expressions of CXCL12 (0.641 +/- 0.180) and CXCR4 (0.464 +/- 0.100) in the sperm. However, only CXCR4 rather than CXCL12 was expressed at the protein level, and the positive staining for CXCR4 was observed mainly in the posterior part of the acrosome.
CONCLUSIONCXCL12 and CXCR4 are involved as important molecules in regulating the function of human sperm.